facts & basics
Never reveal your cards.
She is not entirely helpless, and actually does have a fighting class + specialization in canon. Josie is a Rogue class with Bard specialization; and she still occasionally practices whenever no one is around to watch or judge. Sometimes, these practice sessions have involved Leliana.
The Montilyets were one of the major naval powers in Antiva until the start of the Blessed Age. They had vessels numbering in the hundreds, including a large contingent of warships, ostensibly at the disposal of the royal navy, actually charged with keeping their merchant vessels safe. Their cargo was the target of many Rivaini pirates and they became entangled in many rivalries and vendettas against them. They also had strong ties in Orlais until their falling out with the Du Paraquettes over a question of marriage and fidelity led to vicious infighting, shocking betrayals and public duels. They were exiled from Orlais, which greatly crippled their fortune.
Due to tradition regarding the lines of succession, Josephine began her education at the University of Orlais in Val Royeaux in 9:28 at the behest of her mother, where she built connections among the Imperial court. She finished schooling early two years laterโat a surprisingly young ageโand returned to Antiva to begin her diplomatic career, one that marked the beginning of House Montilyet's return to prominence.
In 9:31, King Fulgeno II appointed Josephine to be Antiva's ambassador to Orlais and is very familiar with Orlesian politics. She is well traveled, familiar with many forms of etiquette, and by all accounts a skilled negotiator.
If and when someone deliberately undermines her authority (especially in her own affairs) in order to "assist" her, she will take it very badly. People tend to coddle because of her beliefs, thinking her sweet or naive because she dislikes the use of blatant murder in the grand game, perceiving it as her inability to stomach such things, but it is her conscious choice. Josephine is aware of the circumstances and challenges, and still actively elects to use other tactics. Betraying her in this is insulting, infantilizing, and disrespectful and, to her, implies the belief that she is, on some level, incompetent in her position.
Josie comes from a culture of hospitality, no matter how blended or multi-cultural Antiva can be there is still a strong cohesive sense of the importance of hospitality, of the duty of the host, both to travelers and guests, that pervades throughout the nation and all of its cities. You might receive different specific practices of hospitality depending on what part of a city youโre in, or what house you enter into or are invited into, but you are sure to receive generous hospitality that is considered necessary on an almost moral level by the people regardless of the origins of their families.
If Josephine says "Good day" to you, she's mad at you.
The kitchen may spontaneously combust if she enters it. That's how bad she is at cooking.
Can eat her weight in brandy chocolates, custard pastries, and other sweets.
Contrary to what most seem to assume, Josephine & her sister are capable riders and fighters. It would've been deemed unacceptable by Mother's side of the family especially if they did not learn, at the very least, the basics of swordplay, archery, hand-to-hand combat, and horsemanship.
Known to very few, Josephine is a published author. One of her most popular works is โThe Noble Good Ladyโ, a so-called guide presented in almost satirical manner to being what is deemed a โLadyโ of higher standing within society. It includes things like โ300 Insults to the Man who Undermines Youโ, the best ways to conceal weapons within one's party attire and undergarments, tips on horse riding in three or more layers of dress and how to tear then tie back one's dress for battle in three easy steps.
